Applying for Jobs with the State of Utah using the Alternative State Application Program (ASAP)

The Alternative State Application Program was adopted as a law in the State of Utah in 2010. The law is intended to help the State of Utah become a model employer in the hiring and retention of qualified individuals with disabilities.

The ASAP allows for non-competitive review and potential hire of qualified candidates and creates a potentially faster way for hiring managers to fill vacancies.

The Alternative State Application Program (ASAP) is a program designed to appoint qualified persons with disabilities through an on-the-job examination period.

What jobs are eligible to be filled using the ASAP?

All Executive Branch career service (schedule B) positions are eligible to be filled using the ASAP.

How to qualify to participate in the ASAP?

To be eligible, the candidate must meet the minimum qualifications for the job and provide adequate documentation of their disability.

Adequate documentation includes:

SSDI or SSI documentation;

Veterans Administration Certification;

Letter from Vocational Rehabilitation; or

Department of Human Resource Management form letter signed by a physician.

All documentation that determines the nature and extent of a disability will be kept secure and confidential and be maintained by the ASAP Coordinator in the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Administration office.

How to apply?

When an eligible position(s) becomes vacant, the ASAP candidate:

Applies for the position(s) interested in through the State of Utah's online application system (this website); and

Notifies the ASAP Coordinator of each position they would like to be considered for under the ASAP.

The ASAP Coordinator will work with the agency’s recruiter to determine if the hiring manager would like to participate in the ASAP, and follows up with the ASAP candidate.

If hired through the ASAP, the candidate will be placed in a time-limited (schedule A) position and begin a six (6) month on-the-job examination period. Supervisors will be instructed to conduct monthly performance evaluations during the six (6) month on-the-job examination period. At the end of the six (6) month period, if successfully performing, the employee will be converted to a career service (schedule B) position and begin the regular probationary period for the job, typically a twelve (12) month probationary period.

How long are certification documents kept on file?

Certification documents are kept in the DHRM Administration office for a minimum of three years; at which point they are destroyed in accordance to retention schedules provided by the Division of Archives and Records Service.

How to contact the ASAP Coordinator?

The ASAP Coordinator can be reached by calling the Department of Human Resource Management at (801) 538-3025.

The State of Utah is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability. The State provides reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of individuals in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For accommodation information or if you need special accommodations to complete the application process, please contact the Department of Human Resource Management at (801) 538-3025 or TTY (801) 538-3696.

Your application is saved, but has NOT been submitted to any employers for consideration. Click on the 'Logout' link in the upper-right-hand corner. Next, we'll show you how to submit an application to an employer for a specific job posting.

Note: Be sure to save often. You will be automatically logged out of your applicant account after 30 minutes from the last time you saved your information.

To Apply for a Specific Job Posting

From the employer’s employment opportunity website, click on the job title of the job you are interested in.

Click on the ‘Apply’ link

Login using your applicant username and password that you created previously.

Note: If you have previously created an applicant account, login using the previously created username and password.You will not be able to create another account using the same e-mail address.

Click on the link that says "To apply for the position of your position title click here."

Note: Be sure to save often. You will be automatically logged out of your applicant account after 30 minutes from the last time you saved your information.

Answer the agency-wide supplemental questions.

Click on the ‘Save & Proceed’ button at the bottom of the page.

Answer the job-specific supplemental questions (if any).

Click on the ‘Save & Proceed’ button at the bottom of the page.

Scroll to the bottom of the application review screen and click ‘Confirm & Send Application’.

Veterans' Preference

The State of Utah recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of men and women who have served in the United States armed forces and provides veterans' preference points to qualified veterans. On November 8, 2013, Governor Gary Herbert proclaimed:

"Our veterans have freely given their time, sweat and blood to serve this great state and nation. Each and every veteran deserves an opportunity to

continue that service through employment opportunities here at home. The State of Utah will serve as a model employer for our veterans."

The State of Utah provides employment preference to U.S. armed forces veterans in two ways:

1) Through the traditional Veterans’ Preference point system

2) through the new Veteran Employment Opportunity Program. Each of these programs is described below.

Who can claim Veterans' Preference?

As a veteran of the armed services, you may be entitled to preference when seeking initial employment with Utah state government (Utah Code 71-10-1). For state jobs open to the public veterans' preference is provided to applicants who meet any of the following criteria:

Any individual who has served on active duty in the armed forces for more than 180 consecutive days, except active duty for training purposes such as initial basic and advanced individual training or active duty to attend a military course, and who was separated under honorable conditions.

A member or former member of a reserve component who served in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized and who was separated from active service under honorable conditions.

A veteran with a disability, regardless of the percentage of disability.

The spouse or unmarried widow or widower of a veteran.

A Purple Heart recipient.

A retired member of the armed forces.

How do I claim Veterans' Preference?

To receive veterans' preference points, click "yes" on the Veteran status indicator when creating your job seeker profile and when applying for specific positions. Then you will select the basis upon which you should be awarded veteran preference points.

In your job seeker profile please upload a copy of your DD 214, or your spouse's DD 214 in the event you are requesting veterans' preference on the basis of your spouse's service. If you do not have the ability to upload a scanned copy of your DD214, you should contact the position's recruiter to ask how you can get a copy of your DD 214 to them so that it can be added to your profile.

How is Veterans' Preference Awarded?

Preference will be awarded as follows (Utah Code 71-10-2):

Five points or five percent of the total possible score (whichever is greater), if the preference eligible applicant is a veteran;

Ten points or ten percent of the total possible score (whichever is greater), if the preference eligible applicant is a veteran with a disability or a Purple Heart recipient; or

In the case of a preference eligible spouse, widow, or widower, the same percentage the qualifying veteran is, or would have been, entitled to.

Veteran Employment Opportunity Program (VEOP)

The Veterans’ Employment Opportunity Amendments (HB327) became law effective May 13, 2014. This law found in Utah Code 67-19-15(2)(b)(ii) allows for veterans of the U.S. armed forces to be hired into designated career-service positions with a 6-month on-the-job examination period in lieu of a competitive hiring process. Recruitments eligible for the VEOP will be determined at the time the recruitment is initiated. To opt in, veterans must meet the veterans’ preference criteria specified above, upload their DD214 to the Job Seeker website, and indicate that they would like to be considered for hire under this program. Hiring officials may choose to interview and hire a qualified veteran who has opted into this program separately from other candidates. Ultimately, a qualified veteran or another candidate may be selected for the position depending on candidate qualifications and the hiring manager’s specific needs.

If you are a disabled veteran you may also qualify for the Alternative State Application Program (ASAP), which is designed to appoint qualified persons with disabilities through an on-the-job examination period rather than through a traditional competitive process. Click on the Alternative State Application Program tab above to find out more about this program.

If you have any questions about veterans' preference points or the new Veteran Employment Opportunity Program, please feel free to contact the position's recruiter. We are grateful for the service our veterans have provided to our nation and wish you well in the hiring process.

Work/Life Balance

How can someone earn a good living in a meaningful career while also enjoying family life, outdoor recreation, and other pursuits? Many State of Utah employees believe they have found the way to achieve a balance between their work and non-work lives. Following are three aspects of many State jobs that allow State employees to achieve this.

Overtime Demands

While State employees may be required to work overtime, overtime requirements are not generally an ongoing aspect of State of Utah jobs. Most State employees work a regular Monday through Friday, morning through afternoon schedule, except employees who work in institutional settings and some who work in public-safety related jobs.Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave

State employees who receive benefits also receive pay for time not worked under the State’s holiday, vacation and sick leave policies.

Holiday Leave: State employees receive holiday leave pay for the following eleven federal and state holidays:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Washington and Lincoln DayMemorial Day Independence Day Pioneer Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans’ Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day New Year’s Day

If an employee is required to work on a holiday, the employee accrues eight hours of leave to be used on another date.

Vacation Leave: State employees earn vacation leave (we call it annual leave) based on their years of service. New employees will start accruing four hours of annual leave each pay period. Accrual rate will increase to a max of seven hours per pay period depending on years of service.

The pay period is a two-week period of which there are 26 per year; therefore, a new benefited employee accrues 104 (4 x 26) hours of annual leave per year. While taking annual leave use must be pre-approved by an employee’s supervisor, the employee may be able to use it as soon after it is awarded on the employee’s pay records.

Sick Leave: In a similar manner as annual leave, all benefited State employees earn 4 hours of sick leave per pay period, which employees can use when they themselves are ill, or to care for an ill spouse, child, or parent who resides in their home. Sick leave may also be used for preventative care, such as dental exams, cancer screenings, physical exams, and well-baby care.

Many full-time State of Utah employees enjoy flexible start and end times; and some State agencies permit their employees to “flex” a day during the week, such as by working four ten-hour shifts and taking Friday’s off. All such flexible work schedule arrangements require supervisory approval.

Professional Growth

The State of Utah is a great place to develop your skill set and grow your career -- while doing work that matters for Utah’s citizens. Whether you plan to spend just a few years with the State of Utah or desire to work until retirement, opportunities for career development and professional growth are plentiful.

Education is Highly Valued

State jobs are complex, challenging and demand a highly competent workforce. On average, the State of Utah workforce is more educated than Utah’s population as a whole, which creates terrific opportunities for employees to learn from one another.

The State of Utah values its highly skilled and highly educated workforce and encourages the ongoing development of its employees. Some State of Utah departments offer tuition assistance and others have internal training programs to facilitate professional development.

Due to its highly-educated and highly-skilled workforce, Utah has frequently been cited as one of the Best Managed States in the nation. Employees are encouraged to use their education and skills to improve the State’s systems, services, and processes. For recent college graduates, the State of Utah has an internship portal where paid and unpaid internships may be listed. Internships are a great way to jump start professional careers.

Employees have Diverse Career Paths Available

Opportunities for rewarding entry-level and advanced jobs and career growth exist in many areas, including: the sciences; engineering; public safety; health care and public health; administration and management; the helping professions; customer service; and natural resource management. Many of these career specialties have related video content accessible through this website in which State employees describe why they enjoy coming to work every day and how they make a difference in the communities they serve.

Employees grow within their chosen career fields through on-the-job learning and formal training. State jobs are often part of larger job families, which permits competent and motivated employees to pursue options within their chosen career areas, such as by moving up to positions involving supervisory or managerial responsibilities, or by becoming more technically proficient in advanced duties and career paths. Promotion from within is common in the majority of State of Utah agencies. The State of Utah has invested extensively in its equipment and technology infrastructure; so in many cases these resources are state of the art, allowing employees to develop valuable skills with contemporary equipment, methods, and applications.

Changes in the State’s Workforce Provide Opportunities

The State of Utah values and encourages diversity within in its work force and continues its efforts to attract, retain, and utilize a diverse and highly qualified work force by providing equal access to hiring, promotion, and training opportunities. It is the policy of the State to adhere to fair employment practices to ensure that hiring, compensation, benefits and other terms or conditions of employment are conducted on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Discrimination based on any of these criteria is unlawful and will not be tolerated. The State of Utah maintains an Equal Employment Opportunity Plan.

You Can Develop your Ability to Lead Others

For employees desiring leadership roles, the State of Utah offers the Utah Certified Public Manager Program, a nationally accredited professional development program focusing on developing management skills, increasing the capacity of public managers to lead people, designing effective work processes, and pursuing self-mastery. Participants apply new skills through practical exercises, team and self-reflection, and practicum projects. The State of Utah also offers a number of short courses on management and leadership development to employees through its Utah Leadership Institute.

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